Spell Of Iron MMXI

TAROT

Veröffentlicht am: 06.05.2011

If you talk about Heavy Metal in Finland – you are talking about TAROT!

The legendary Heavy Metal act was founded in the early eighties by the Hietala brothers, Marco and Zachary, inspired by the NWoBHM and their love for bands like IRON MAIDEN, BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST and others.

Soon they started to create their own songs and named their band PURGATORY, which was going through various line-up changes. Still it was their hobby; a future with intensive touring and a record deal was rather a distant dream than a concrete goal. Besides playing music, Zachary started his studies of naval mechanics, while Marco was a high school student. Along with other activities, the brothers carried on developing the band and their progress was intense.

At that time there were only a few Heavy Rock bands in Finland and the ones existing represented Hard Rock rather than Heavy Rock. PURGATORY wanted to refer to angrier and heavier bands. While Marco went to Helsinki doing bass and music theory studies in the capital, he spread the band’s name in the scene and the bands popularity started to grow.

A deal was offered and both band and label decided to change the name into TAROT. Their first 7” single, called „Wings Of Darkness“, was released in 1986. The appearance of this excellent newcomer was a surprise for the growing scene in Finland. The single represented something fresh and new and contained novel elements like Nordic gallantry and skillful musicianship. Their attitude won the sympathies of the audience. Their follow-up debut, „Spell Of Iron“, was highly appreciated. The transparency of the opening track „Midvinter Nights“ fulfils all the promises the previously released single had provoked and the harsh „Love’s Not Made For My Kind“ knocks out with its severity.

Die-hard fans of TAROT still call this debut album their best one so far. It became a classic – which the band has now – after 25 years – re-recorded, even followed by a remake of their video clip for „Wings Of Darkness“.

Till now, TAROT have released eight studio albums, two live records and one best of album. In 2006 all their former records were also re-released with bonus tracks, but this new recorded version of their legendary debut tops it all. A classic that has deserved it!